What is Sarcoidosis?

Sarcoidosis, also called sarcoid or Besnier-Boeck disease, is a systematic granulomatous inflammatory disease characterized by non-caseating granulomas (small inflammatory nodules).

Its cause is unknown. Granulomas most often appear in the lungs or the lymph nodes, but virtually any organ can be affected. Normally the onset is gradual.

Sarcoidosis may be asymptomatic or chronic and may cause death.

Sarcoidosis may be divided into the following types:

Annular sarcoidosis

Erythrodermic sarcoidosis

Ichthyosiform sarcoidosis

Hypopigmented sarcoidosis

Löfgren syndrome

Lupus pernio

Morpheaform sarcoidosis

Mucosal sarcoidosis

Neurosarcoidosis

Papular sarcoid

Scar sarcoid

Subcutaneous sarcoidosis

Systemic sarcoidosis

Ulcerative sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis most commonly affects young adults of both sexes, although studies have reported more cases in females. Incidence is highest for individuals younger than 40 and peaks in the age-group from 20 to 29 years; a second peak is observed for women over 50.

Sarcoidosis occurs throughout the world in all races with an average incidence of 16.5/100,000 in men and 19/100,000 in women.

The disease is most prevalent in Northern European countries, and the highest annual incidence of 60/100,000 is found in Sweden and Iceland. In the United States, sarcoidosis is more common in people of African descent than Caucasians, with annual incidence reported as 35.5 and 10.9/100,000, respectively.

Sarcoidosis is less commonly reported in South America, Spain, India, Canada, and Philippines.

The differing incidence across the world may be at least partially attributable to the lack of screening programs in certain regions of the world and the overshadowing presence of other granulomatous diseases, such as tuberculosis, that may interfere with the diagnosis of sarcoidosis where they are prevalent.

There may also be differences in the severity of the disease between people of different ethnicity. Several studies suggest that the presentation in people of African origin may be more severe and disseminated than for Caucasians, who are more likely to have asymptomatic disease.

Manifestation appears to be slightly different according to race and sex. Erythema nodosum is far more common in men than in women and in Caucasians than in other races. In Japanese patients, ophthalmologic and cardiac involvement are more common than in other races.

My aunt lost a 50% of vision made ​​the resonance and accused a tumor or inflammation however can not operate on can cause blindness or death tomorrow will make a neurosarcoidosis would accurate information on the subject

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